Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to alternative antimicrobials with therapeutic potential.

Background: The prevalence of MDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae is increasing globally and represents a public health emergency. Development and approval of new anti-gonococcal agents may take years. As a concurrent approach to developing new antimicrobials, the laboratory and clinical evaluation of currently licensed antimicrobials not widely used for the treatment of gonorrhoea may provide new options for the treatment of gonococcal infections. Objectives: To determine the in vitro activity of nine alternative, currently licensed and late-development antimicrobials with the potential to treat gonococcal infections against 112 clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae resistant to one or multiple antimicrobials. Methods: The MICs of conventional anti-gonococcal antimicrobials (penicillin, ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and spectinomycin) and alternative antimicrobials (ertapenem, gentamicin, netilmicin, tigecycline, eravacycline, fosfomycin, linezolid, ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftaroline) were determined by agar dilution. Results: Ertapenem and the novel cephalosporins demonstrated similar MIC values to the third-generation cephalosporins, but increased MICs were observed for isolates with increased cefixime and ceftriaxone MICs. Tigecycline and eravacycline had MIC values below expected serum concentrations for all isolates tested. The aminoglycosides gentamicin and netilmicin were generally more potent than spectinomycin, with netilmicin demonstrating the greatest potency. Fosfomycin MICs were elevated compared with other agents, but remained within the MIC range for susceptible organisms, while linezolid MICs were generally higher than those for organisms considered resistant. Conclusions: Among potentially therapeutically useful alternative agents, the aminoglycosides, eravacycline, tigecycline and fosfomycin had good in vitro activity. The novel cephalosporins and ertapenem had comparable activity to cefixime and ceftriaxone.

Epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Canadian hospitals (CANWARD study, 2007 to 2013).

Of 1,927 Enterococcus species isolates collected across Canada from 2007 to 2013, 80 (4.2%) were identified as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). VRE infections during this time tripled in Canadian hospitals, from 1.8% to 6.0% (P = 0.03). All VRE were Enterococcus faecium, with 90% possessing vanA. The prevalence of vanB decreased from 37.5% in 2007 to 0% in 2013 (P < 0.05). The VRE were multidrug resistant, but 70.6%, 86.3%, and 100% were susceptible to doxycycline, linezolid, and daptomycin, respectively.

In vitro activity of tigecycline against isolates collected from complicated skin and skin structure infections and intra-abdominal infections in Africa and Middle East countries: TEST 2007-2012.

Complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs) and intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are problematic due to decreasing therapeutic options available against multidrug-resistant pathogens common among these types of infections. A total of 2245 isolates from African and the Middle Eastern (AfME) countries were collected to determine in vitro activity for tigecycline and comparators during 2007-2012 as part of the Tigecycline Evaluation Surveillance Trial program. Tigecycline was launched in the AfME in 2007 and remains active against a wide range of targeted pathogens worldwide. Isolates were recovered from cSSSI (1990) and IAI (255) from 38 sites in 11 AfME countries. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common species from cSSSI (27.9%), and the methicillin-resistant S. aureus rate was 25%. Enterococcus spp. (7.1%) and Streptococcus agalactiae (2.9%) were other common Gram-positive pathogens represented. Enterobacter spp. (14.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.9%), Escherichia coli (11.4%), Klebsiella spp. (10.9%), and Acinetobacter spp. (7.2 %) were the most common Gram-negative species collected. Tigecycline MIC(90) values were 0.25 µg/mL against S. aureus. E. coli and Enterobacter spp. had tigecycline MIC(90) values of 1 and 2 µg/mL, respectively. E. coli was the most frequently collected species from IAI (28.3%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (20.8%), Enterococcus spp. (11.8%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (6.3%). Isolates collected from IAI had the following tigecycline MIC(90) values: E. coli (1 µg/mL), Klebsiella spp. and other Enterobacteriaceae (2 µg/mL), Enterococcus spp. (0.25 µg/mL), and S. maltophilia (1 µg/mL). Tigecycline in vitro activity was observed against a broad spectrum of bacterial species, including strains resistant to other antimicrobial classes.

In vitro activity of plazomicin against 5,015 gram-negative and gram-positive clinical isolates obtained from patients in canadian hospitals as part of the CANWARD study, 2011-2012.

Plazomicin is a next-generation aminoglycoside that is not affected by most clinically relevant aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. The in vitro activities of plazomicin and comparator antimicrobials were evaluated against a collection of 5,015 bacterial isolates obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals between January 2011 and October 2012. Susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method, with MICs interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints, when available. Plazomicin demonstrated potent in vitro activity against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, with all species except Proteus mirabilis having an MIC90 of ≤1 µg/ml. Plazomicin was active against aminoglycoside-nonsusceptible Escherichia coli, with MIC50 and MIC90 values identical to those for aminoglycoside-susceptible isolates. Furthermore, plazomicin demonstrated equivalent activities versus extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and non-ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with 90% of the isolates inhibited by an MIC of ≤1 µg/ml. The MIC50 and MIC90 values for plazomicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 4 µg/ml and 16 µg/ml, respectively, compared with 4 µg/ml and 8 µg/ml, respectively, for amikacin. Plazomicin had an MIC50 of 8 µg/ml and an MIC90 of 32 µg/ml versus 64 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Plazomicin was active against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with both having MIC50 and MIC90 values of 0.5 µg/ml and 1 µg/ml, respectively. In summary, plazomicin demonstrated potent in vitro activity against a diverse collection of Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci obtained over a large geographic area. These data support further evaluation of plazomicin in the clinical setting.

In vitro activity of tigecycline and comparators against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Africa-Middle East countries: TEST 2007-2012.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae are an emerging concern for healthcare providers. Infections caused by MDR pathogens are associated with increased costs, length of hospital stay, and morbidity and mortality rates. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) continue to increase, and infections with these organisms are observed worldwide not only as hospital-acquired infections but also as community-acquired infections. Increasing antimicrobial resistance dictates the need for continued surveillance studies of common and MDR pathogens. The Tigecycline Evaluation Surveillance Trial (TEST) examined the susceptibility of pathogens isolated in Africa and the Middle East from 2007 to 2012. A total of 4155 Enterobacteriaceae isolates were evaluated to determine the in vitro activity and changes in resistance patterns for tigecycline and comparators. Carbapenem resistance was found in 191 (4.6%) of the isolates tested. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common CRE (64.9%), followed by Enterobacter cloacae (14.1%) and Escherichia coli (9.9%). Tigecycline MIC90 values (minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit 90% of the isolates) were 2µg/mL against all of these enteric species, with susceptibility rates of 96.8%, 92.6% and 100%, respectively. Tigecycline had in vitro activity against CRE, with a 95.3% susceptibility rate.

In vitro activity of ceftolozane-tazobactam against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals in the CANWARD study, 2007 to 2012.

The in vitro activity of ceftolozane in combination with tazobactam (fixed concentration of 4 µg/ml) was evaluated against 2,435 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates obtained from across Canada using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution methods. The MIC50 and MIC90 values for ceftolozane-tazobactam were 0.5 µg/ml and 1 µg/ml, respectively (a 32-fold-lower MIC90 than that for ceftazidime). Eighty-nine percent (141/158) of multidrug-resistant isolates were inhibited by ≤8 µg/ml of ceftolozane-tazobactam.

Change in antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli urinary tract isolates at a single institution over a period of 10 years.

Urinary tract infections are common. Few published studies have demonstrated the change in Escherichia coli urinary isolate antimicrobial susceptibility over time within a given area and (or) population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in susceptibility of E. coli clinical isolates obtained from urine specimens at a single institution over a period of 10 years. The microbiology laboratory information system at St. Boniface Hospital (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) was searched retrospectively from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009, for all E. coli isolates from either a midstream or catheter urine source that had susceptibility testing performed. Only one isolate per patient was included during the entire study period. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out with either a Microscan instrument (pre-April 2004) or a Vitek instrument (May 2004 onwards). In total, 7353 E. coli urinary isolates were included for evaluation. Ciprofloxacin susceptibility declined significantly, from 99% in 2000 to 85% in 2009 (p < 0.0001). A small but statistically significant decline in susceptibility was also observed for ampicillin, cefazolin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, and nitrofurantoin. These data suggest that certain antimicrobials recommended for the treatment of urinary tract infections (ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) may no longer be optimal.

Susceptibility of European Escherichia coli clinical isolates from intra-abdominal infections, extended-spectrum ß-lactamase occurrence, resistance distribution, and molecular characterization of ertapenem-resistant isolates (SMART 2008-2009).

A total of 3160 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli from intra-abdominal infections were collected during 2008-2009 from 13 European countries. The frequency of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates in Europe was 11%. The most active antibiotics tested were typically imipenem, ertapenem, and amikacin, although the activity of all non-carbapenem antibiotics was lower when tested against ESBL-positive isolates than when tested against ESBL-negative isolates. Ertapenem exhibited 99.3% susceptibility with all isolates, and 96.8% susceptibility with ESBL-positive isolates. With application of the ertapenem CLSI clinical breakpoint for resistance (MIC ≥1 mg/L), only six isolates (0.2%) were ertapenem-resistant, and only three of these were available for molecular characterization. Of those three, only one was ESBL-positive (CTX-M-14), and two were carbapenemase-positive (OXA-48). All three were negative for, VIM, NDM and KPC carbapenemases. Although the level of ertapenem resistance in E. coli is very low, further monitoring of ertapenem susceptibility and molecular characterization of ertapenem-resistant isolates is needed.

Trending eight years of in vitro activity of ertapenem and comparators against Escherichia coli from intra-abdominal infections in North America--SMART 2002-2009.

During 2002 - 2009, 2,885 Escherichia coli intra-abdominal isolates were collected from North America in the Study for monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance trends (SmARt) surveillance program. the incidence of extendedspectrum beta-lactamase producing isolates ranged from 1.7% in 2005 to 7.2% in 2004 and 2006, and was 6.8% in 2009. Susceptibility trends showed that there were only minor fluctuations in susceptibility to ertapenem and imipenem with no significant decrease over time. By contrast, cefepime, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin exhibited significantly higher minimum inhibitory concentrations against E. coli overall (p<0.05) and (except for cefoxitin) against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing isolates. Piperacillin-tazobactam also had significantly diminished activity against E. coli overall, but paradoxically showed significantly increased activity against extendedspectrum beta-lactamase producing isolates. Ertapenem and imipenem susceptibility of E. coli in North America remained consistently high during the period 2002 through 2009, and continuing updates from SMART will be helpful in detecting any changes that occur in the future.

Activity of NXL104 in combination with beta-lactams against genetically characterized Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates producing class A extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and class C beta-lactamases.

The novel non-ß-lactam ß-lactamase inhibitor NXL104, in combination with cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, amdinocillin, and meropenem, was tested against 190 extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, 94 AmpC-hyperproducing E. coli isolates, and 8 AmpC/ESBL-coexpressing E. coli isolates. NXL104 restored 100% susceptibility to the partner cephalosporins for all isolates tested. Amdinocillin and meropenem MICs were modestly improved (2 to 32 times lower) by NXL104. These results suggest that NXL104 may be useful in combination with ß-lactams for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL- and AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

In vitro activity of ceftazidime combined with NXL104 versus Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals (CANWARD 2009 study).

The in vitro activity of ceftazidime in combination with NXL104 versus 470 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates was evaluated using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution methods. Ceftazidime had MIC90s of 8 µg/ml and 32 µg/ml in the presence and absence of NXL104, respectively. Of 25 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, the percentages with a ceftazidime MIC of ≤8 µg/ml with and without NXL104 were 60% and 4%, respectively. These data suggest that the ceftazidime-NXL104 combination may prove useful for treating many P. aeruginosa infections.

In vitro activity of colistin (polymyxin E) against 3,480 isolates of gram-negative bacilli obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals in the CANWARD study, 2007-2008.

The in vitro activity of colistin was evaluated versus 3,480 isolates of gram-negative bacilli using CLSI broth microdilution methods. The MIC(90) of colistin was < or = 2 microg/ml against a variety of clinically important gram-negative bacilli, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All multidrug-resistant (n = 76) P. aeruginosa isolates were susceptible to colistin (MIC, < or = 2 microg/ml). These data support a role for colistin in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Identification of multidrug- and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Canada: results from CANWARD 2007.

OBJECTIVES: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is a growing concern in many countries. This report describes patient demographics, antimicrobial susceptibilities and molecular characteristics of A. baumannii cases identified through the Canadian Ward Surveillance Study (CANWARD). In addition, clinical cases involving MDR carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii are also detailed in this report. METHODS: From January to December 2007, 12 hospital centres across Canada submitted pathogens from clinics, emergency rooms, intensive care units and medical/surgical wards as part of the CANWARD study. MICs were determined using microbroth dilution (CLSI). PCR and sequence analysis identified OXA genes among carbapenem-resistant isolates. PFGE was used to determine genetic relatedness and compare representatives of the Midlands 2 strain, OXA-23 clone 1 or 2, T strains and isolates collected from military sources. RESULTS: This study identified A. baumannii in 0.33% (n = 26) of infections. The majority of isolates remained susceptible to the antimicrobials tested, however, 7.7% (n = 2) displayed an MDR phenotype, including resistance to carbapenems. In one isolate bla(OXA-58) was found to be the likely cause of carbapenem resistance while the other isolate had an insertion sequence element upstream of its intrinsic bla(OXA-51). The clinical data of these two isolates suggest that one is travel-related while the source of the other remains unknown. CONCLUSIONS: A. baumannii infections from Canadian hospitals were relatively low. Carbapenem-resistant MDR A. baumannii were also rare and unrelated to previously observed isolates from military sources. Continued surveillance in Canada is suggested in order to determine if such organisms will become a problem.

Macrolide resistance mechanisms among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated over 6 years of Canadian Respiratory Organism Susceptibility Study (CROSS) (1998 2004).

BACKGROUND: Resistance to macrolides in Streptococcus pneumoniae arises primarily due to Erm(B) or Mef(A). Erm(B) typically confers high-level resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLS(B) phenotype), whereas Mef(A) confers low-level resistance to macrolides only (M phenotype). The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of macrolide resistance mechanisms in Canadian isolates of S. pneumoniae obtained between 1998 and 2004. Furthermore, the genetic relatedness, serotype distribution and antibiotic susceptibility profile among S. pneumoniae isolates with dual erythromycin ribosomal methylase [Erm(B)] and efflux pump [Mef(A)] were analysed. METHODS: A total of 865 macrolide-resistant (erythromycin MIC > or = 1 mg/L) S. pneumoniae isolates were collected from the Canadian Respiratory Organism Susceptibility Study (CROSS) from 1998 to 2004. The presence of erm(B) and mef(A) was determined for each isolate by PCR; mutations in the genes coding for L4 and L22 ribosomal proteins and for 23S rRNA were identified by DNA sequencing. Each isolate containing both erm(B)- and mef(A)-mediated macrolide resistance was genotyped by PFGE and serotyped using the Quellung reaction with antisera. RESULTS: Of the 865 isolates studied, 404 (46.7%) were mef(A)-positive, 371 (42.9%) were erm(B)-positive, 50 (5.8%) were positive for both mef(A) and erm(B) and 40 (4.6%) were negative for both mef(A) and erm(B). Of the macrolide-resistant isolates negative for both mef(A) and erm(B), 22 (2.5%) contained 23S rRNA A2058G, A2059G or A2059C mutations, 7 (0.8%) contained 23S rRNA A2058G or A2059G mutations along with an S20N mutation in L4 ribosomal protein, and 1 isolate contained an E30K ribosomal protein mutation alone. Of the macrolide-resistant strains positive for both mef(A) and erm(B), 36 (72%) were multidrug-resistant (macrolide-, penicillin- and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-resistant), 39 (78%) isolates belonged to serotype 19A or 19F and 36 (72%) belonged to one clonal complex (> or =80% genetic relatedness) genetically related to the Taiwan 19F-14 clone. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of efflux-based macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae in Canada remained steady between 1998 and 2004. Macrolide resistance due to erm(B) decreased over the same time period, with a rapid increase in isolates with both erm(B) and mef(A) macrolide resistance.

Designing fluoroquinolone breakpoints for Streptococcus pneumoniae by using genetics instead of pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics.

We determined fluoroquinolone microbiological resistance breakpoints for Streptococcus pneumoniae by using genetic instead of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameters. The proposed microbiological breakpoints define resistance as the MIC at which >50% of the isolates carry quinolone resistance-determining region mutations and/or, if data are available, when Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate a <90% chance of bacteriological eradication. The proposed microbiological resistant breakpoints are as follows (in micrograms per milliliter): gatifloxacin, >0.25; gemifloxacin, >0.03; levofloxacin, >1; and moxifloxacin, >0.12. Monte Carlo simulations of the once daily 400-mg doses of gatifloxacin and 750-mg doses levofloxacin demonstrated a high level of target attainment (free-drug area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h/MIC ratio of 30) by using these new genetically derived breakpoints.

Determining incidence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 38 centres from 17 countries: the PEARLS study 2001-2002.

The PEARLS study prospectively monitored selected nosocomial pathogens from 38 centres in 13 European, three Middle Eastern countries and South Africa during 2001-2002. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production rates among Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter spp. were 5.4% (142/2609), 18.2% (401/2,206) and 8.8% (204/2,328), respectively, for all study sites. The overall ESBL production rate for the combined Enterobacteriaceae was 10.5% (747/7,143), highest in Egypt, 38.5%, and Greece, 27.4%, and lowest in The Netherlands, 2.0%, and Germany, 2.6%. IEF, PCR and DNA sequencing determined 10.7% false positives among Enterobacter spp. when using NCCLS guidelines to screen for ESBL production. The prevalence of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was 32.4% (294/908) and 8.7% (83/949), respectively. PEARLS provides baseline data against which prospective changes in resistant determinants and outcomes can be measured in this ongoing study.

In vitro activity of gemifloxacin and contemporary oral antimicrobial agents against 27247 Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic isolates: a global surveillance study.

This study was a multi-centre, multi-country surveillance of 27247 Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates collected from 131 study centres in 44 countries from 1997 to 2000. MICs of gemifloxacin were compared with penicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, azithromycin, clarithromycin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, grepafloxacin and levofloxacin by broth microdilution. Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae was extremely high in the Middle East (65.6%), Africa (64.0%) and Asia (60.4%) and lower in North America (40.3%), Europe (36.9%) and the South Pacific (31.8%). Macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae was highest in Asia (51.7%) but varied widely between laboratories in Europe (26.0%), North America (21.6%), the Middle East (13.7%), the South Pacific (10.6%) and Africa (10.0%). All the study quinolones were highly active against penicillin-resistant and macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae. Overall, gemifloxacin had the lowest MIC(90) at 0.06 mg/l with MICs 4-64-fold lower than ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and grepafloxacin against S. pneumoniae. Gemifloxacin MICs were more potent than grepafloxacin > levoflaxacin > ciproflaxin against the Gram-positive aerobes and shared comparable Gram-negative activity with ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin.

Comparative in vitro potency of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and four oral agents against recent North American clinical isolates from a global surveillance study.

The in vitro activity of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid was compared with four comparator oral antimicrobial agents; ampicillin, azithromycin, cefuroxime and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole against 4536 recent clinical isolates covering 29 species isolated in the US and Canada between 1997 and 1999. Based upon Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), amoxycillin-clavulanic acid was the most active agent against many Gram-positive species and phenotypes including methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae including penicillin intermediate and macrolide resistant strains and was as active as ampicillin against Streptococcus agalactiae, penicillin resistant S. pneumoniae and viridans streptococci. Against Enterobacteriaceae amoxycillin-clavulanic acid in general, displayed weak activity with only Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris displaying levels of susceptibility above the 90th percentile. Amoxycillin-clavulanic acid had significant activity against many species of Gram-negative non-Enterobacteriaceae including Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis but negligible activity against Burkholderia cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Amoxycillin-clavulanic acid continues to retain excellent activity against the majority of targeted pathogens despite 20 years of clinical use.

Comparative in vitro surveillance of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and four oral comparators against 21232 clinical isolates from europe.

The present study was conducted to determine the in vitro activity of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid compared to that of four newer antimicrobial agents (ampicillin, azithromycin, cefuroxime and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole). All of the agents were tested against 21232 recent clinical isolates encompassing 37 species submitted from 16 European countries between 1997 and 1999. After 20 years of clinical use, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid continues to retain much of its initial activity against targeted gram-positive organisms, selected gram-negative organisms and major respiratory pathogens.